Samsung has launched a new demand response program for its SmartThings smart home platform. Flex Connect lets your SmartThings-connected devices communicate with the grid and automatically reduce energy use during times of peak demand, which can help avoid blackouts. While demand response programs have made some scary headlines, many experts believe connecting smart homes to the grid is crucial to managing stress on energy grids.
Flex Connect is available in New York and California and works with SmartThings Energy, an energy management solution. It leverages SmartThings’ AI energy model to automate the response of smart appliances and connected devices, such as lights and thermostats, to demand response events.
Samsung says AI Energy Mode can save up to 70% of energy consumption when using Samsung products. It is a smart program that learns about your daily household habits and automatically adjusts the energy consumption of appliances and devices based on goals you set in the app. Energy usage to save energy.
According to Samsung, when receiving a demand response signal from a utility company, Flex Connect can automatically turn on AI energy mode to save additional energy use of supported devices, automatically turn off devices (including third-party lights and plugs) and automatically turn off power supply.
If you don’t have any supported devices, you can still use the SmartThings Energy feature to receive alerts when events are triggered. That way, you’ll know to adjust the thermostat or not run the dryer.
Flex Connect plans are optional and you can choose which devices to enroll and change them at any time. Any appliance or device that works with SmartThings Energy can be connected to Flex Connect. While the list of compatible devices is dominated by Samsung appliances, it also supports a variety of third-party plugs, lights, and thermostats. Some famous brands include WeMo, TP-Link, Aeotec, Ecobee, Sengled and Resideo (Honeywell Home Furnishings). Also supports Tesla products, including Powerwall and Loop EV chargers.
Samsung has yet to provide specific details on how utilities will use the program, whether it plans to expand to more states or when Flex Connect will go live. We will update this article with more information as we receive it.
